Discord is breaking new ground by testing face scanning technology to verify users' ages in the UK and Australia. With a staggering 200 million monthly users, this platform, originally tailored for gamers, has now diversified to encompass a myriad of communities, even in adult content.

As the UK ramps up its online safety regulations, digital platforms that host adult material must implement "robust" age verification by July. This push aligns with the growing demand for stricter online safety measures.

A Pioneering Change in Age Verification

Social media expert Matt Navarra highlighted that this move by Discord signifies the beginning of a significant industry shift. He noted, "Regulators want real proof, and facial recognition might just be the quickest way to achieve that."

However, privacy advocates are raising alarms. They argue that such methods could be ineffective and pose serious privacy risks. Navarra pointed out, "Age assurance is becoming the new seatbelt for the internet. Will it become the norm in the UK? Honestly, yes, probably."

The Era of Simple Age Confirmation is Over

Navarra believes that upcoming changes in online legislation will compel platforms to enhance their age verification processes. He declared, "The era of 'click here to confirm you're 13' is dead. Get age verification wrong now, and the consequences could be dire: not just losing users, but facing courtroom battles or hefty fines."

Under the new Online Safety Act, companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 10% of their global revenue.

Instagram's Previous Experiment

Discord isn’t the first to explore facial recognition. Instagram introduced age checks using facial analysis in 2022 for users wanting to change their profile settings to over 18. Users were required to take a selfie video, which the platform analyzed using AI to estimate age. They also offered the option to upload an ID photo.

Safeguarding Privacy in Age Verification

This age verification process on Discord will be enacted as a one-time check when users encounter flagged sensitive content or alter settings regarding such content. Users can choose between using the face scanner or uploading an ID photo for confirmation.

Importantly, Discord assures users that information gathered during this process will not be stored. Face scans will remain only on the user’s device, and ID uploads will be discarded immediately after verification.

Currently, content marked as sensitive is automatically blocked or blurred for underage users, but with these new measures, the platform aims to enhance safety and compliance while addressing privacy concerns.